Shinwa laid awake in his bed fully clothed, staring at the blank ceiling as the crickets outside sang to the moon. He stretched in frustration before sighing loudly and turning over to play with a rubber soccer ball at his bedside.
"Why can't I sleep?" He asked himself wearily as he looked over at his bedside table. A solitary picture frame sat atop it. He picked up the picture and examined it. The picture was of him, Tsuki, and Toushi huddled together in the cold of winter with broad smiles across their faces. He smiled tiredly as he ran over the picture with his fingers. 'Good times.' He thought to himself as he stopped his finger on Tsuki. "Beautiful." He mused before putting the picture back. He got up and retrieved a pack of cigarettes from the top drawer of his dresser. He twirled it in his hand before putting it in his pocket and leaving his room.
He trotted down the stairs, his hands shoved in his pockets as he walked. He reached the bottom floor and saw an all too common sight. His father lay asleep on the kitchen floor with a bottle of whiskey closed tightly in his fat grubby fingers. Shinwa grimaced before stepping lightly over him and opening the front door. He left without looking back as he dug into his pocket and retrieved a solitary cig. He found his lighter and lit it. Taking a fairly long drag, he snickered to himself before wiping away an oncoming tear. This wasn't the life he wanted. It was nowhere close. He hated the fact that smoking was the only way he knew how to relieve his stress. He exhaled and the silvery wisps of smoke curled away from his lips as he did so. He brought the cig back to his lips and took another puff.
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you before Toushi." He whispered into the night as more smoke curled away into the shadows. "I need guidance." He snickered jokingly to himself before standing up, throwing his cigarette butt onto the ground, and walking back inside.

Tsuki had just stepped out of the shower when the phone rang from the other room. She tossed her wet silver hair over her shoulder as she hurried quickly to retrieve it secretly hoping that it was Shinwa. She checked the caller-id and saw that it was Toushi. She didn't really feel like talking to him at the moment. Even though she had forgiven his outburst, she hadn't forgotten it. She turned away, merely glancing back at the continuously ringing phone. She sat at her vanity mirror as soon as the answering machine picked up the phone.
"Tsuki? It's Toushi. If you're there, please pick up. Look, you have a right to still be angry at me but I-" There was a long pause from the other side. "I'm sorry. I just wasn't myself. That's all I have to say, later." She considered his words as she picked up her brush and began combing her long silken hair. She set her brush down and noticed a picture atop her vanity. She examined it before putting it facedown. It was a picture of her and Toushi in a photo-booth. The truth was, she was still in love with Toushi but she knew that it could never be, especially seeing as how he was with Seigi. She sighed as she slipped out of her towel and into her bathrobe as she yawned lightly. Suddenly, the phone rang again as she sat down on her bed. This time, she made no attempt to retrieve it as it continued to ring. The answering machine picked it up.
"Doll, I know you're there. Answer the phone okay?" It was Shinwa. She suddenly got up and hurried to the phone. She picked it up off of the receiver hastily.
"Shin?" She asked.
"Hey Tsuki," Shinwa replied from the other side. "I was wondering if you're bold enough to sneak out tonight. I kinda need to talk to you." Tsuki ensnared her index finger in the phone cord and twisted it nervously as her heart began to race.
"I don't know." She replied with a hint of worry in her voice. "Couldn't we just talk over the phone?"
"Tsuki, you know I'm not a phone person." He said with a small snicker. "And besides, I want to see you." The last sentence he said made her cheeks tingle with the hint of a faint blush. She smiled warmly before nodding to herself.
"Okay Shinwa, you got me. Where?" She inquired.
"Right outside your place because that's kind of where I am." He said. She gasped lightly before dropping the phone, running over to her window, and looking out into the bleak. Indeed Shinwa was outside, waving to her as he chatted on his cell phone. She smiled down at him as she held up her finger in an "I'll-be-right-there" motion. She quickly slipped on some clothes and walked down her huge stairway. She stopped suddenly as a photo of her parents hanging delicately on the wall caught her attention. A beautiful silver-haired woman with soft blue eyes and a handsome red-headed man with charming purple eyes were smiling back at her. She sighed lightly in desperation. They were never home. She had grown up knowing only her nanny and the maids as her family and friends until she found Toushi and Shinwa. She hated that they were never home to see her grow up and congratulate her on her achievements. She felt herself choke suddenly as she remembered the last time she saw them. It had to be several odd months ago a few months before her birthday. They only stayed for twenty minutes before flying back out to a yearlong business trip in Paris. Sure they sent her letters and they always called her, but she never saw them. And that was what mattered to her the most. She wiped away an oncoming tear as she continued to walk down the steps carefully, only glancing back to see the picture once more before swiftly turning away. She opened the door carefully and met the thoughtful eyes of her friend. She enclosed him in a tight embrace.
"You okay there kiddo?" He asked as he patted her head. She looked up at him, almost in tears.
"Yes, I'm fine but why do you smell heavily of smoke?" She said in almost a whisper as she stepped back from him.
"It relieves stress." He sighed as he looked up at the moon longingly. Tsuki parted her lips in order to lecture him but then she looked at how upset he seemed. She shook her head and smiled humbly as she took his hand gently.
"Come on," She said invitingly. They walked back up to her room without glancing at either one of the pictures and shut the door tightly behind themselves. Shinwa walked over to her canopy bed and sat down.
"Are you sure?" He asked again as he quirked his eyebrow. She sat across from her at her vanity mirror.
"Why wouldn't I be?" She asked questionably.
"Because you looked like you were going to cry." He said flatly as he kicked his shoes off and wriggled his toes within his socks.
"Oh yeah?" She said as she put her hands on her hips and looked at him sternly. "Why are you here?"
"I can't sleep, dad's drunk again, and mom's no where to be found." He said as he counted the reasons off on his fingers and cocked his eyebrow at her challengingly. "And like I said, I wanted to see you. How's your injury?" He asked and she pulled her shirt up over her stomach to show him.
"It's getting better." She said as she ran her fingers over it wistfully.
"You look hot doing that." He said with a mischievous grin. She quickly slipped her shirt back down and glared playfully at him before sighing.
"I've been meaning to talk to you." She said as she crossed her long slender legs. Shinwa watched as she did so and he mumbled something inaudibly to himself. "About that kiss that one day," She said as she brought her fingers to her lips before looking back at him. "I think it best if it doesn't happen again. I don't want to ruin our friendship Shinwa." She said as she studied his expression closely, hoping that he would take it all right.
"Sure, I understand. Likewise," She said as he nodded and thumbed his nose at her as he winked. Tsuki got up and sat beside him on the bed and sighed.
"Why do you smoke?" She asked concernedly as she locked her eyes with his. He smiled coyly.
"Like I said doll, it relieves the oh-so-much stress I have. Usually seeing Toushi did that. But know, with Seigi in the picture things aren't the same." He paused suddenly as she punched him playfully. He fell back in mock agony.
"You know what I'm going to say Shinwa Tora." She said as she slapped his chest.
"Do I?" He asked coolly as he grabbed the arm she was leaning on, causing her to fall on top of him. She went a dark hue of red at the same time he did. She sat up quickly and heaved a faux coughed as he did the same.
"Well that was-" She said as she heaved another faux cough.
"So," He began. "Do you wanna-"
"Yeah sure," She interrupted as she leaned in and met his lips halfway.
"But what about-" He continued to kiss her sweetly before forcing his tongue inside her mouth and began stroking hers as she sighed.
"Forget about it." She moaned into his mouth. His hands began slowly creeping up her shirt as he teased the skin around her hips tenderly. She stopped him suddenly, pulling his hands out from under shirt and looked him in the eyes. "Should we be doing this?" She asked nervously. He smiled understandingly.
"You started it you indecisive twit." He said heatedly as he began nibbling the tender flesh around her shoulder, tugging at her shirt lightly around her hips. She moaned meekly before trying to resist.
"That may be," She stated. "But I-I-" She snickered as she pulled his lips into another ardent kiss.
"You what?" He asked fervently against her lips as he let his fingers creep back into her shirt, barely touching the hem of her bra.
"Our friendship," She whispered back into his ear as she slipped into his lap unintentionally. He clenched his fingers around her breasts through her bra and she gasped lightly in surprise before looking back at him hotly.
"I think it's more." He said as he began enveloping her neck with small nibbles and kisses. She ran her fingers through his navy hair as she threw her head back, a moan escaping her velvet lips.
"Maybe it is." She sighed as she reached around her back and unclasped her bra. He unbuttoned her shirt and pulled it down around her shoulders, his eyes eating hungrily at the sight of her naked supple breasts. Tsuki felt his lower area hardened underneath her hips as she began to suck and pull at his neck.
"Odd how this turned out," He sniggered quietly as his fingers grazed her nipples. She ran her long graceful fingers along his clothed erection as he groaned lightly with anticipation. She smirked at him.
"Maybe," She murmured as he began to lick his way around her breast as he squeezed the other. His other hand began to slowly slink into her skirt, rubbing her thighs as he went, stimulating her further. She slipped his shirt over his head as she pushed him back against the bed. He smirked handsomely at her as she unbuttoned his jeans and pulled his pants down around his knees tantalizingly slow, his neglected manhood twitching with anticipation against his boxers. He groaned anxiously and she blushed suddenly, knowing that she had never this intimate with anyone, especially not someone who was supposed to be her best-friend. She shook her head clear as she threw his handsome smirk back at him as she stroked his throbbing length, leaning in for another kiss. He grasped her supple breasts again as she kissed him passionately, allowing his tongue to dominate hers. His fingers began stroking her panty-line cravingly but he stopped as soon as she had stuck her fingers around the elastic of his boxers and forced them down allowing his erection freedom. He groaned as she began to bite at the skin around his hips.
"A tease huh?" He breathed. She leaned down and kissed the head of his manhood and watched him squirm with covet.
"You could say that." She whispered back as she slid her tongue down the length of his shaft. He grasped her sheets as his breathing began to become ragged. Tsuki stopped suddenly and covered her breasts as she backed away. Something in her conscious told her that what she was doing was wrong. Shinwa sat up on his elbows and sighed, covering a groan that threatened to escape.
"What's wrong?" He asked as he pulled her covers over his length. Tsuki's eyes began to cloud over with tears. She had started this after she'd told herself and him that she'd rather it not happen again. "Tsuki?" He asked.
"What're we doing Shinwa?" She asked uneasily as she stumbled back a step and shook her head.
"Well, I was pretty sure that I was about to get a blow-" Suddenly, Tsuki stuck both of her thumbs into the waistband of her skirt and panties and slid them off. Shinwa's eye ate hungrily at the sight of her naked body. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as his cheeks became inflamed. He parted his lips as a small moan emitted from them.
"Is this what you want?!" She screamed as a tear rolled down her cheek. She was ashamed that their kissing had led to this. She never intended it to. "Well, IS IT?!" She cried. Shinwa swallowed as he stood to his feet and pulled his boxers and jeans up. He walked over to her and pulled her into a strong embrace. She looked up at him with sodden eyes as she sniffed.
"I never intended this t-to hap-happen." She sobbed into his chest.

"I know Tsuki, I know." He sighed disappointedly as he stroked her long silvery hair.
Several hours passed and the two sat there without any utterance of a word. Tsuki was too ashamed to speak and Shinwa was more disappointed than anything.
"Shinwa?" Tsuki asked weakly before cringing at the sound of her own voice through the silence. Shinwa looked over at her from the couch.
"Yeah?" He asked softly.
"Come on," She said with a little more confidence as she walked out of the room. He quirked his eyebrow as he got up and followed her. She led him back up the huge staircase and down the hall to a door.
"I always come up here." She commented before throwing a meek smile at him as she opened the door. Shinwa stuck is hands in his pockets as he followed her up another flight of stairs that led to a small window. Tsuki opened it craftily and climbed through, immediately followed by Shin. She sat down against the shingles of her roof and hugged her knees as she looked up at the stars. Shinwa looked up with her as he stood awkwardly.
"Why here?" He asked as he took his hands out of his pockets and crossed his arms. Tsuki looked over at him.
"Because I like to think that I can see my parents." She said with a timid smile. "I mean, I never see them anyways so it's nice to think that they're stars looking down on me and protecting me from up there." She shook her head, causing her long silver hair to fall into eyes. "It's silly." She chuckled mildly.
"No, it's not." He said honestly. "My parents are always around," He paused suddenly before a sigh escaped his lips. "But I wish they weren't." He sat down beside her with a slight moan.
"Why's that?" She asked as she turned to look at him. He gave her a challenging smirk before sniggering.
"Because," He said, taking a pack of cigs out of his pocket. "Mom's always out and dad's always drunk." He took one out and stuck it between his lips as he took out his lighter and lit it. "When they're together they fight and it's because of me." He said as he took a long drag. Tsuki looked on in disgust before taking the cigs out of his hand and throwing them off the side of the roof. Shinwa glared at her before growling. "What was that for?" He exclaimed. Tsuki looked away from him.
"It's a disgusting habit. You'll wind up killing yourself Shinwa." She said angrily.
"Why not?" Shin hissed. "It's not like I have anything to live for in this life." Tsuki gave him a hurt look.
"Do you know why I work even though I'm financially secure for the rest of my life?" She growled. He raised his eyebrow as he exhaled, allowing the silver wisps of smoke to furl into the night.
"Why?" He asked in his deep sultry voice.
"I want to get away from this life one day Shin. To be able to start all over on my own. Don't we all? I know for a fact that you do. But killing yourself isn't the way to do it." She said as she took the lit cig from his lips and hurled it across the roof. It landed in the pool several feet away with a soft plink. She stood up suddenly and looked up at the stars again. "I want you to quit." She sighed. He stood up too, angered that she'd thrown his cigarettes off the roof.
"You and the whole fucking world want me to Tsuki." She turned to look at him and she poked him hard in the chest.
"Well take a hint. We're only worried about because, if you haven't noticed, you live in a dysfunctional household and your smoking isn't helping. We were intimate Shinwa Tora just mere hours ago. I'd like it to mean something but it won't if you really want to die!" She snapped as she crossed her arms. Shinwa's silky red eyes widened with surprise before he placed his hands around her waist carefully pulling her into him.
"I'm sorry Tsuki," He said into her ear as he cradled her. "I'll stop." She leaned against his chest.
"You and Toushi are really the only family I have when my parents are away. I really don't want to lose that." She said with a small sigh. He rested his head on hers.
"Tsuki, it takes years upon years to really feel the effects of smoking. You're getting hysterical over nothing serious. But if it really means that much to you then I'll quit."
"Thank you," She whispered before reaching up and kissing his chin.

"Did you really mean that you wanted it to mean something?" He asked calmly as he tightened his embrace around her waist. She nodded.
"It'll never be simple with us again." She giggled. Shinwa looked up at the stars. They seemed to be smiling, causing him to grin tenderly as he stroked her hair.
"It never will be." He sighed. "I still wish you hadn't thrown my cigarettes off the roof." She stepped back from him and bore her eyes into his. He smiled jokingly as he held up his hands.
"I'm kidding doll-face." He snickered. She just shook her head and jumped at him, causing them both to fall backwards onto the shingles in a fit of laughter. She kissed his lips softly and he smiled at her before embracing her warmly.
"I want you to stand up to your parents." She whispered into his chest.
"What? Why?" He said, raising his voice a little. She looked up at him and he blushed suddenly.
"Just do it," She said before lying back against his chest. "It'll help you."
"Oh yeah?" He asked challengingly. "I want you to stand up to your parents also. I refuse to do it if you don't." He crossed his arms and smirked at her. She gasped lightly before returning his smirk. "You're on," She breathed.

* * *

Shinwa came home as soon as the sun had risen from its' long sleep. He stepped through the front door and met the eyes of his tired mother and father. His father wiped his eyes before placing a hand on his drained head. Shin inhaled deeply before puffing his shoulders out.
"Shinwa, make some breakfast for mommy okay?" She groaned as she reached for a bottle of aspirin.
"No," He breathed causing them both to look at him skeptically.
"What'd you just say?" She asked.
"I said no."

* * *

Tsuki was drying her hair with a towel when her phone rang. She put it on the view screen and she met the faces of her smiling parents. She grimaced.
"How's my little girl?" Her father said.
"We're sorry that we can't stay too long." Her mother mused. Tsuki threw her towel on the ground irately.
"If you were around, you'd know that I'm not little but that I'm seventeen! The story of your lives is that you can never stay long!" She barked.

* * *

"Shinwa do what your mother tells you." His father growled as he took out another bottle of whiskey. Shin walked over to him, taking the bottle out of his hands and then smashing it against the ground.
"I'm tired of you drinking! Always drinking! And you," He snarled as he pointed at his mother. "You're never around! Believe it or not, I need parents in my life!!"

* * *

"Believe it or not, I need parents in my life!!" Tsuki yelled. "I hate you two for never being here. I'm starting to forget what it's like to have parents!"
"But Tsuki, we have jobs-" Her father pleaded.
"If that's the best excuse that you have then I guess you really don't like seeing me."
"That's not true sweetheart!" Her mother said, raising her voice.
"Well then why aren't you ever here!? You've not been here for the majority of my life!"

* * *

"Shinwa, stop this nonsense." His mother said as she stood up angrily.
"No," He said pointing at her again. "You stop this nonsense. I refuse to live in such a dysfunctional household."
"It's your fault that we're dysfunctional!" His father retorted. Shinwa turned to look angrily at the grubby man he called his father and punched him hard in the jaw. He stumbled backwards and fell over.
"Yes dad, I like guys but I also like women! What's so wrong about that? Why can't you get over it you selfish bastard!" His dad wiped the dribble of blood trickling down the side of his mouth.
"Because it ain't right!" He yelled.
"In your eyes!" Shinwa said as he shook his throbbing hand. "Mom could care less, why don't you learn to deal with the way I am because I sure as hell ain't changing anytime soon." Shinwa then ran back out the door leaving his parents there to ponder about what he'd said. His mother turned to look at his father.
"He's right you know." She said before going to the cabinet and taking out all the alcohol and pouring it down the sink. His father only grumbled, hurt that he'd been hit with hate by his own son.

* * *

"She is right dear," Her mother said to her father. "We haven't been around to see her grow up or anything." Tsuki crossed her arms.
"We're already financially secure for the rest of our lives so why must I ask are two still working? Are you that greedy?" She said as a tear escaped her eyes.
"That's it." Her father said before hanging up.
"We're sorry Tsuki; we forgot that we have a big responsibility and that we've been neglecting it. We'll be home soon." Her mother smiled warmly before hanging up also. She ran out of her room, slid down the huge banister to her stairs, and ran out the front door.

* * *

Shinwa ran down the sidewalk until he caught sight of Tsuki running towards him. She stopped within a feet of him, panting for air until leaping into his arms as he spun her around.
"We did it," She smiled before crying into his shirt. "We really did it." He kissed her the top of her head.
"That we did love." He said before a tear spilled over from his eyes. "Now only time will tell if it really had any effect."
"We're just a couple of dreamers aren't we?" She cried and he wiped the tears from her eyes before kissing her lips comfortingly.
"More like daydreamers." He smiled playfully before hugging her tighter.

Author's Note: So what'd you think? Hmmm? I know that I should be scolded for putting them in a situation like that but I thought it was necessary for reasons that I can't reveal because of plot issues. Don't you just love filler chappies? ^_^ I promise to get back to the plot now. :3 Please review, I loves reviews. :D They make me smile. 3 Moon Feathers